Ismaili Centre, Toronto
Encyclopedia
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto — currently under development — will be the sixth such centre in the world. Situated in a park that it shares with the Aga Khan Museum (also under development) adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, the Centre will represent the permanent presence of the Ismaili Muslim community in Toronto and Canada
. The building’s foundation ceremony was performed by the Prime Minister of Canada and His Highness the Aga Khan on May 28, 2010.
’s Don Mills
neighbourhood. It will be visible from the adjacent Don Valley Parkway
,
and will share its 6.8 hectare site with the Aga Khan Museum
. Both buildings will be surrounded by a landscaped park.
Formally announced in 2002, the Ismaili Centre had its foundation ceremony on May 28, 2010. The ceremony was performed by Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
and His Highness the Aga Khan
, together with the foundation of the Aga Khan Museum and their shared park. Construction of the $300 million development is expected to finish in 2013, is expected to represent a significant addition and shift in the landscape of Toronto’s cultural institutions.
in collaboration with Toronto-based Moriyama & Teshima Architects. Correa sought to create a building that responds to the traditions of Islamic architecture
in a contemporary way using modern materials.
A distinguishing feature of the building will be the glass roof of the prayer hall, which recalls the corbel
ling in many of the traditional domes in the Muslim world. The glass dome, which represented a difficult technical challenge, will be made of two layers of high-performance glass, and fritted to deflect the heat of the sun. A clear sliver of glass facing east toward Mecca
will run down the translucent roof, indicating the direction of prayer
.
. Djurovic described his vision for the park as one that “captures the essence of the Islamic garden and translates it into an expression that reflects its context and contemporary age.”
The park incorporates a char bagh
formal garden that will feature mirror-like reflecting pools. Designed to suit the climate of Toronto, the gardens will capture the beauty of the four seasons. The park also provides space for educational programming, outdoor gatherings as well as offering areas for tranquillity and relaxation.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The building’s foundation ceremony was performed by the Prime Minister of Canada and His Highness the Aga Khan on May 28, 2010.
Construction and development
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto will be situated along Wynford Drive in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
’s Don Mills
Don Mills
Don Mills is a mixed-use neighbourhood in the North York district of Toronto, Canada. It was developed to be a self-supporting "new town" and was at the time located outside of Toronto proper. Consisting of residential, commercial and industrial sub-districts, it was planned and developed by...
neighbourhood. It will be visible from the adjacent Don Valley Parkway
Don Valley Parkway
The Don Valley Parkway is a controlled-access six-lane municipal expressway in Toronto connecting the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto with Ontario Highway 401, the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway. North of Highway 401, it continues as Ontario Highway 404. The parkway runs through...
,
and will share its 6.8 hectare site with the Aga Khan Museum
Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Muslim arts and culture. It is to be situated in Toronto, Canada and is expected to open in 2013. The museum is an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network...
. Both buildings will be surrounded by a landscaped park.
Formally announced in 2002, the Ismaili Centre had its foundation ceremony on May 28, 2010. The ceremony was performed by Canadian Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
and His Highness the Aga Khan
Aga Khan IV
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, NPk, NI, KBE, CC, GCC, GCIH, GCM is the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He has held this position under the title of Aga Khan since July 11, 1957, when, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan...
, together with the foundation of the Aga Khan Museum and their shared park. Construction of the $300 million development is expected to finish in 2013, is expected to represent a significant addition and shift in the landscape of Toronto’s cultural institutions.
Architecture
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto was designed by Indian architectural firm Charles Correa AssociatesCharles Correa
Charles Correa is an Indian architect, planner and activist.-Early life:Charles Correa was born in Hyderabad, India...
in collaboration with Toronto-based Moriyama & Teshima Architects. Correa sought to create a building that responds to the traditions of Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
in a contemporary way using modern materials.
A distinguishing feature of the building will be the glass roof of the prayer hall, which recalls the corbel
Corbel
In architecture a corbel is a piece of stone jutting out of a wall to carry any superincumbent weight. A piece of timber projecting in the same way was called a "tassel" or a "bragger". The technique of corbelling, where rows of corbels deeply keyed inside a wall support a projecting wall or...
ling in many of the traditional domes in the Muslim world. The glass dome, which represented a difficult technical challenge, will be made of two layers of high-performance glass, and fritted to deflect the heat of the sun. A clear sliver of glass facing east toward Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
will run down the translucent roof, indicating the direction of prayer
Qibla
The Qiblah , also transliterated as Qibla, Kiblah or Kibla, is the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays during salah...
.
The Park
The Ismaili Centre is set in a landscaped park, composed of both formal and informal gardens. Designed by Lebanese landscape-architect Vladimir Djurovic, the park connects the Centre with the adjacent Aga Khan MuseumAga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Muslim arts and culture. It is to be situated in Toronto, Canada and is expected to open in 2013. The museum is an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network...
. Djurovic described his vision for the park as one that “captures the essence of the Islamic garden and translates it into an expression that reflects its context and contemporary age.”
The park incorporates a char bagh
Charbagh
Charbagh is a Persian-style garden layout. The quadrilateral garden is divided by walkways or flowing water into four smaller parts...
formal garden that will feature mirror-like reflecting pools. Designed to suit the climate of Toronto, the gardens will capture the beauty of the four seasons. The park also provides space for educational programming, outdoor gatherings as well as offering areas for tranquillity and relaxation.
More information
- Ismaili CentreIsmaili CentreThe Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili Muslim community in the countries and regions in which they are established. Each building is architecturally unique, and incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, intellectual engagement and reflection,...
s around the world (official website) - Ismaili Centre, LondonIsmaili Centre, LondonThe Ismaili Centre, London is one of five such centres world-wide. Established in South Kensington more than a quarter of a century ago, it is a religious, social and cultural meeting place for the Ismaili Muslim community in the United Kingdom and is the first such centre to be specially designed...
(official website) - Ismaili Centre, Burnaby (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, Lisbon (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, Dubai (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe (official website)